Out & About: Latrobe Art Center serves up ‘Taste of the Neighborhood’

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best.

Start with good food and add good music, good company and good weather. Those ingredients cooked up to a heaping helping of fun at Taste of the Neighborhood on Friday at the Latrobe Art Center.

The come-on was simple: “Can’t decide which local restaurant or brewery to visit? Why not try ALL of them?”

Seven local eateries set up tasting stations inside the center, with guests dining al fresco under a big top-style tent in the street outside.

For entertainment, Jerry B and the Bone Tones simmered a stew of rock, blues, R&B and soul.

Organizers decided to cap attendance when ticket sales quickly hit 250, said LAC Executive Director Michael Tusay, lest the food purveyors become overwhelmed.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Latrobe Art Center Executive Director Michael Tusay (left) with Keli and Craig Shevchik of Greensburg at the center’s April 29 Taste of the Neighborhood.

Serving their specialties were Ricolita’s Cafe, Chef Dato’s Table, R. Clean Meals, Scotty G’s Pizza, Lynn’s Franks Mobile Catering, Jioio’s Pizza and the Latrobe Dairy Queen.

Libations were offered by All Saints, Four Seasons and Helltown brewing companies; Rusty Musket Distilling Co.; and Eclectique, serving Raspberry Acres Winery wines.

Stan Oakes, dining with wife Joan, had a hard time picking a favorite dish.

“They’re all my favorite,” he said.

The pasta, meatballs and sauce from Ricolita’s Cafe got Jody Smith’s vote.

“That’s the best one here, and you can quote me on that,” she said.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

A crowd of about 250 took over the block in front of the Latrobe Art Center for the Friday, April 29 Taste of the Neighborhood local food showcase.

Seen sampling: Kyley Tusay, Joe Bellack, Lee Markosky, Marty Singer, Dave and Beth Byers, Diane Torrero, Jeff Boggio, Jeanette Mosso, Karen Rosa, Craig and Keli Shevchik, Jerry and Helen Burns, Ben and Jeanne DeMaria, Dennis and Kathy Rafferty, Doreen Currie, Nick and Nancy Smith, Michael and Maureen Swan, Janet Riordan and Jerry Schultheis, Eric Beresford and Deanna Buberniak-Beresford, Bill Gaul and Dave DelSordo.